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WV SB679

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/30/2026

Primary Sponsor

Mike Azinger

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Minors cannot be prosecuted or held criminally liable for prostitution offenses, removing the previous requirement that courts first determine they are trafficking victims
  • Expands the definition of "human trafficking" to explicitly include the commercial sexual activity of a minor
  • Adds "patronizing" to the definition of "sexual servitude" involving minors
  • Removes the knowledge requirement for patronizing a minor in commercial sexual activity, making it a felony (3-15 years, up to $300,000 fine) regardless of whether the perpetrator knew the minor was a trafficking victim
  • Allows trafficking victims to petition for expungement of prostitution convictions by demonstrating the offense resulted directly from being trafficked, without age limits or rehabilitation requirements

Legislative Description

Increasing protection for minors when victims of human trafficking

Crime

Last Action

To Judiciary

1/30/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary1/30/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available